What's in a name?

I'm glad folks like the name, and connect with it in many ways. I had enough foresight to know I wanted to name the business something that reflected unity and solidarity in work and art.  I think it's perfect and I have every intention of keeping it. 

Other than the common finger cuts from working, I've used  the word "PaperCuts" in lieu of pain points when talking about artist struggles, and also "PaperCuts" to talk about where the heck is the cut ($) for the artist is these days?! I love how interchangeable it has become. 

Here is the origin story of  the name "PaperCut Society". Get your tissues. This is a story about loss, being lost, and getting found again.

In May 2023, my sweetie mom, who was battling cancer, decided she was done with all treatments. She lived in New York, in the very house I grew up in.  I offered to go out and be with her, but she wasn't ready for that. She insisted my sister and I wait for her invitation to visit. That wait was extremely difficult.

That same month, I was laid off from a nonprofit I had been with for five years. The way they did it was infuriating and unexpected, just like any corporate layoff. However, it released me from any obligations, allowing me to go to NY to be with my mom at any moment.

Waiting was intense and full of grief. I had consistent therapy appointments, but still so much time on my hands. I turned to art  and joined a 6-week collage class at the community college. I sat in the back, quiet, just listening, observing, learning paper techniques. I cut paper and glued down my emotions into a book. By the third week, that class brought a new level of belonging, camaraderie, and community around I needed. They never knew what I was going through at the time but those folks were there for me.

In my head, I called this mid-day, easygoing summer class my "PaperCut Society." Referring to the pain that brought me there, and also to the activity that gave the pain a place to live. This community lifted me up, and gave me a place to go. All of a sudden I had paper projects things to think about, and to talk about, and something to do with my hands. I belonged, no matter what. 

Being part of this little PaperCut Society gave me more acceptance and confidence in myself through working with collage, and I was ready when I finally got the invitation to go to NY. My sister and I landed in NY, and 18 days later, our dear mom passed.

When I returned to Vancouver, I started a long stretch at a local ceramic studio (Shout out to Norris Arts Studio and Gallery) that provided a similar holding space for me.

Now I make sure I'm part of an art community all the time. It's part of my self care. It truly brings me joy, camaraderie, connection, and confidence. I'm excited to pay it forward now, and nourish this "PaperCut Society" now for others through craft parties and silly events.

Arts and crafts communities are for everybody!